MLB Network analyst makes wrong Rangers comparison with Corey Seager, Marcus Semien

Mark DeRosa knows a thing or two about baseball. The former Texas Rangers infielder spent 16 years in the big leagues, including a two-year stint in Arlington. In addition to being Team USA's manager for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, DeRosa has parlayed his major league career into a position as an in-studio analyst for MLB Network.

DeRosa recently took some time to heap praise onto one of the bright young stars on this year's Rangers team — Corey Seager. DeRosa was quoted as saying, ""He's our modern day Cal Ripken Jr."

That's quite the compliment, and there's certainly an argument to made that Seager could one day join the elite company of Hall of Fame shortstops. But DeRosa's comparison is lacking in a very meaningful way.

Is Rangers shortstop Corey Seager comparable to Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.?

When most baseball fans think about Ripken, one key statistic comes to mind. While the Hall of Famer was phenomenal — both in the batters' box and in the field — it was Ripken's "Iron Man" status that stood above all the other accolades he ever received.

Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games. The longtime Baltimore Orioles shortstop surpassed New York Yankees' great Lou Gehrig's 2,130 consecutive games played streak that had stood for over 50 years.

With that in mind, perhaps Marcus Semien is a better comparison. The Rangers second baseman just saw his consecutive games played streak come to an end this past week after logging 349 straight. Semien is about as close to a modern day iron man as most baseball fans will ever see.

There's a much bigger emphasis in today's game on rest, with analytics and sports science citing the need for players to have adequate time for their bodies to recuperate. Based on the current state of the game, Ripken's record will likely stand the test of time.

Rangers infielder Marcus Semien might be the closest thing to a modern day Cal Ripken Jr.

Both Seager and Semien have similarities to Ripken. All three players can now lay claim to a World Series championship, and Ripken was always known more for his bat than his glove. But both Seager and Semien have a long way to go before matching Ripken's two MVPs, 19 All-Star appearances, and eight Silver Slugger Awards.

Even combining the recognitions received by both Seager and Semien, they are two MVPs, 13 All-Star appearances, and three Silver Slugger Awards short of Ripken's Hall of Fame résumé.

DeRosa's comparison is well intentioned, but frankly neither player is even close to Ripken's status as an all-time great. But based on Ripken's stature in the game, Semien probably fits the mold better than Seager.

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